The Emeka Beke-led All Progressives Congress (APC), in Rivers State has again described Tony Okocha as an impostor unknown to the party in the State.
Chairman of the party, Emeka Beke disclosed this in a letter written to the Chairman, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja, dated 1st October 2024.
That letter is titled “Re: Position of the Rivers State All Progressives Congress (APC) on the forthcoming Local Government Election in Rivers State Vis-a-vis the Judgement in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/987/2024.”
He informed the commission that Tony Okocha who filed a suit at the Federal High Court to stop the conduct of the election is unknown to the party, adding that the Supreme Court had ordered the state government to conduct the elections, as the FHC cannot overrule the apex court.
He disclosed that the party will be participating in this Saturday’s LG elections in the state based on the order by the apex court.
Part of the statement read,
“We, however, hereby notify you that Chief Tony Okocha, who filed that suit purportedly as ‘Chairman, Caretaker Committee’ of the All ProgressivesCongress, Rivers State Chapter, is an impostor and totally unknown to the Rivers Chapter of the All Progressives Congress.
“He is neither the Chairman nor is he a leader in any capacity whatsoever. He (Chief Tony Okocha) does not also have the authority of the leadership of the party in Rivers State as constituted under Chief Emeka Beke, to file or maintain the said suit on its behalf.”
.”Under the Constitution of the All Progressives Congress, all issues relating to the participation in the local government elections are within the authority of the State Executive Committee, and so, it is the Executive Committee as led by himself (Chief Emeka Beke) that determines whether and how the Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress is to participate in the forthcoming local government elections in Rivers State.
“What matters is that the Supreme Court of Nigeria had already ordered the Government of Rivers State to conduct Local Government Elections in Rivers State within three months of judgement, hence the Federal High Court cannot lawfully overrule the Supreme Court by stopping the holding of the said election,” the statement added.
“It is on the above premise, that we write to notify you and your commission (INEC) that the Rivers State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress totally supports the holding of the Local Government elections in Rivers State on the 5th of October, 2024.
“The Party is participating in the elections, and have indeed, submitted the names of its candidates for the various positions.”
